into place beside Ba Re’ as they prepared to watch their females on the ship’s security monitors.
“Do you see why I moved to hide the screens when you came in unannounced?” Ba Re’ asked.
“Yes, yes I do,” Quin answered. “But would you not know your Elisha was on the way here if you are watching her?”
“The lighting is dark inside the club. From time to time they move out of view. It would not be entirely impossible for her to make her way here without me noticing.”
“Change one of the monitors to the corridor leading here,” Quin said, scoffing.
“I can only watch so many at one time. If I do that, I will have to lose one of those in the club. I wish to see from all angles.”
“I see,” Quin said, nodding and peering closely at the monitors all giving him a different angle inside the club. “It is dark there. Where is Lo'San?” Quin asked. “I sent him to watch over Vivi.”
“He is there,” Ba Re’ said, pointing to a table in the corner where Lo'San stood speaking with Rokai.
“Good, he watches. He is very efficient,” Quin commented.
“Zahn and Rel are moving slyly among the crowd, and Rokai is in attendance as well. Zahn and Rel would immediately spirit Vivian away if needed, but surely despite his tendency to manipulate most situations, Rokai would stand for the other females if necessary,” Ba Re’ commented.
“He would, no doubt,” Zha Quin answered, watching the image of his Vivi as she danced and laughed with her friends. He smiled as he watched her lift her arms in the air and clap her hands over her head. “I love to see her happy and carefree,” Quin said.
“I’d prefer mine in our quarters where so many unmated males are not readily accessible,” Ba Re’ grumbled. “She just does not understand that she has no place wandering this ship. There is no reason for it if she is not in training. And even the training is not necessary! I will provide for her!”
“That is because you have not been forceful enough. You have not claimed your female. Mine is claimed,” Quin said confidently.
Ba Re’ glanced over at Quin. “Yes, she is, and I remember a particular Sire wandering around the ship trying to locate his errant Ehlealah because she kept escaping him at every turn. So do not speak to me of how perfectly you claimed your female!”
“The situations are very different, Ba Re’. You know that,” Quin said.
Ba Re’ sobered a bit. “Yes, yes they are. Vivi had much to overcome.”
“Exactly. Yours is just stubborn,” Quin commented.
“And yours hit you with a cooking pan! At least mine has not attacked me!” Ba Re’ snapped.
“Why are you so irritable?” Quin asked, turning to look at Ba Re’ with a scowl on his face.
Ba Re’ didn’t answer, just glared at Quin silently.
Quin watched him for a moment, then he noticed the dark circles under his eyes, the tension around Ba Re’s mouth as he pursed his lips. “What is the problem, Ba Re’?”
“She will not accept my claim. She has stated that she will not do more than sleep beside me until she has established herself in her professional capacity among our people. She wishes to be independent and self-sufficient before she will accept my claim.”
“That is good, she is strong, wants to learn to stand on her own. Vivi is strong and is happy to be proving herself as well,” Quin said.
“She is driving me insane. I need to touch her. I need to bond myself to her. I can’t sleep. I don’t eat. All I do is sit here and watch her go about her days. She refuses to stay in our quarters. I have to work and am unable to accompany her. I need… I need…” Ba Re’ stopped speaking to search for the words he wanted.
“An intervention,” Quin supplied. “Vivi would say you require an intervention. You have completely focused on that which you cannot have at this moment, and it is all you can see. We shall stage an intervention,” Quin said, nodding.
“I don’t need an intervention! I need my Ehlealah to accept me!” Ba Re’ insisted.
Quin watched the screens as Lo'San rushed back onto the dance floor and spoke to Synclare before kissing her.
“Ah! Lo'San has decided to make his wishes known!” Quin said. “Do you see? Synclare is receptive!” Quin said, pointing to them on the monitor as Lo'San lifted Synclare and carried her off the dance floor.